A blog devoted to the discussion of the greatest movies ever made, or The Essential Films. From the beginning of cinema history to present day, these films are crucial to the education of anyone who loves the art of film making.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

FORCED PERSPECTIVE’s look at the Star Wars saga concludes with EPISODE 17 – “May the Force Be With You, Part 2.2″ Join SportsGuy515 & Adolfo, along with guest co-hosts Big D, Mr. Eddie, and Hamza (b.k.a. Dave) as they wrap up the series with a review of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, as well as a discussion on the legacy of George Lucas and Star Wars. DOWNLOAD/STREAM NOW!

Monday, June 11, 2012

What started out as a discussion on the Star Wars prequel trilogy descended into OVER 4 HOURS of, well, PREQUEL-BASHING. As a result, the episode was split in two, with Part 2.1 reuniting SportsGuy515 and Adolfo with special guest co-hosts Big D, Mr. Eddie, and Hamza (b.k.a. Dave) as they discuss the first two films of the PT, Episode I – The Phantom Menace and Episode II – Attack of the Clones. Plus, “Episode I” hype, The People vs. George Lucas, Big D’s “DragonQuest” altar, and MUCH MORE! DOWNLOAD/STREAM NOW!

Writer's Guild of AmericaNominated: Best Written American Drama - William Archibald, Truman Capote

But above anything else... I love the children

THE PLOT

Miss Giddens has been hired as a governess to take care of a pair of orphaned siblings: Flora and Miles. Giddens has complete independence to care for and raise the children as she sees fit, but soon after her arrival strange occurrences begin. First coming to believe the house may be haunted, her fears grow until she suspects the children themselves are possessed by the spirits of the former masters of the house. Giddens refuses to abandon the children and hopes to literally save their souls.

WHY IS IT ESSENTIAL?

Atmosphere: Jack Clayton knows how to direct a ghost story. The atmosphere of this film is perfect. From the second Giddens arrives to the house, the audience can just feel something is amiss. The mood is beyond creepy. Clayton shoots the house to make it not only seem dark and threatening, but also stifling and claustrophobic. Every shadow seems threatening. Adding to the effect is that the film is shot is masterfully shot in black and white by director of photography Freddie Francis, who went on to shoot The Elephant Man, Dune and Return to Oz. Adding to the atmosphere is the obvious lack of musical score. Instead of relying on a suspenseful score, this movie is (almost) in complete silence... which amplifies the spookiness of the situation. In fact the only music that is heard throughout the film is the song "Willow Waylee" sung by the children. It opens the film over the credits and it is used strategically throughout the course of the movie. This is what a ghost story should feel like.

Ambiguity: I'd qualify this as both a ghost story and a psychological horror film. The film certainly is frightening and is going for ghost story-style scares... however, the film is also framed in a matter that leaves the audience guessing as to if the events are happening as the protagonist actually sees them or if she has gone insane and thinks she is seeing them. I won't spoil whether or not the film ever gives us a definitive answer or not, as it is part of the fun. I will say this, however: by the time the film is over... it doesn't matter whether the ghosts were real or not.

Themes: The title of the film suggests that the "innocents" are the (possibly) possessed children. The children's actions could be dictated by the supposed possession, or they could just be "bad seeds." The ghosts in the house that committed evil in their past could be literal ghosts, or metaphors for the corruption of man (or both.) This is a film about evil and corruption... and in the end, no one is ever really innocent.